On Sunday June 26th, my son Peter & I rode in the fundraiser Bike-A-Thon for Bikes Not Bombs. We were able to raise $376 for this worthy cause (feel free to add to our donations). All-together 464 riders raised over $135,000 to support the work of Bikes Not Bombs!
My photos are online and some other great photographs from a professional photographer are also available.
The 15-mile riders prepare to set out.
- There were rides of 65-miles, 25-miles, and 15-miles in length. We rode the shortest of these, the longest I could expect Peter to stay still.
- Riders were sent off with a “trumpet” blast played through a modified set of handlebars.
- The PA system was powered by cyclists spinning on stationary bikes.
- There were an impressive number of children riding on their own bikes on the 15-mile ride.
- Some of the steepest hills were near the start of the ride challenging everyone especially the young children.
- The first place I’d never been before was the Stony Brook Reservation which featured a bike path through the woods that felt miles away from the city.
- The path rather gloriously zipped downhill, but wet pavement and downed leaves forced me to be cautious.
- Near our rest break there were well-uniformed adults playing baseball.
- We returned to urban Boston passing through the rusty but charming Hyde Park area. The neighborhood was very quiet on a Sunday morning.
- When I finally returned to parts of the city I’d been to before on Walk Hill Avenue, I didn’t recognize it at first.
- Another new discovery is a corrections facility right behind Forest Hills Cemetery. I live on the opposite side of the cemetery and never knew it was there.
- In Franklin Park we saw men playing cricket in the field by the zoo. We were not able to find a toilet or port-a-potty that was open (several were chained shut) for when Peter really needed to pee.
- At the finish of the ride we were awarded medals made of old bike parts! Mine was a chainring, Peter’s a brake lever.
- The Green Roots Festival was a great follow-up to the ride (and very JP).
- Free food for the riders, which was delicious – hummus, beans, salad. Yum, yum, yum!
- Musical entertainment include some great drummers. Peter enjoyed that a band of bucket drummers had left their instruments out for children to play with.
- Children of all ages enjoyed zipping down the hillside on potato sacks down a large strip of cardboard. Peter spent most of the afternoon doing this. There were no real rules other than that you had to get off the slide so as not to be in the way of the next slider.
- Other activities we admired but didn’t participate in included yoga, face painting and massages.
Weeeee!
Tired but happy we went home to cool off in the wading pool. I had a great time and would love to do this ride again next year. Come join me!
